“It instilled a lot of confidence in us going into labor and allowed us to be advocates for ourselves because we knew so much information going in – whether it was the doula program or where your baby was or just being familiar with the people around you. I felt very empowered going into my birth.”

– Kelli Burger, Centering Pregnancy participant

Centering Pregnancy is a program offered by UC San Diego Health that provides prenatal care to pregnant women in a group setting. It is an alternative to traditional individual prenatal care appointments.

Women are grouped together based on their due dates, and they attend group sessions with their healthcare provider throughout their pregnancy. During these sessions, women receive the same care they would receive in traditional prenatal visits, such as physical exams, ultrasounds, and lab work. However, they also participate in group discussions and activities on topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.

The program is designed to provide a supportive community for pregnant women and promote education, empowerment, and self-care. Centering Pregnancy has been shown to improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies, increase patient satisfaction with prenatal care, and reduce healthcare costs.

Vanessa Wright, CNM, WHNP-BC, sits down with a group of new moms who share their experiences going through the program.

Watch Centering Pregnancy: Group Prenatal Care and Support for New Parents.